Method of making swivel-rings.



F. A. BALLOU, JR. METHOD OF MAKING SWIVELRINGS. APPLICATION FILEDAPR-30.1917.

1.,Q62,735. Patented Apr. 16,1918.

FREDERICK A. BALLO'U, an, or rnovrnmvcn, RHOIDE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR tron.A. BALLOU & co. Inc, or PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION or RHODEISLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

Application filed April 30, 1917. Serial No. 165,365.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. BALLOU, Jr., a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county ofProvidence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Methods of Making Swivel- Rings, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a method of making swivel rings moreparticularly adapted to be employed on swivel catch devices for chainsfor personal wear, and the object of this invention is to provide such amethod whereby the swivel ring may be constructed entirely of one pieceof metal and without the use of solder.

The invention further consists in a new and improved method ofconstructing this ring which consists primarily in reducing a length ofwire at intervals to form relatively large spaced-apart head portionsthereon, piercing said head portions and then severing said length atone side of each head-forming member, each having a reduced elongatedbody and head and subsequently bending the reduced elongated portioninto substantially a ring form.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1- is a side elevation partly in section showing the swivel ringas attached to a trunnion member.

Fig. 2 represents a portion of length of wire iron which a plurality ofthese swivel rings are formed.

Fig. 3 illustrates the first operation which reduces the wire atintervals leaving enlarged spaced-apart head portions.

Fig. i shows the head portions as reduced to a thickness equal to thediameter of the reduced or body portions.

Fig. 5 shows the head portions as pierced.

Fig. 6 shows one of the members as severed from the length of wire.

Fig. 7 shows the body portion as having been bent in ring form and asabutting the opposite side of the head.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the'head of the device illustrating thatportion from which the next adjacent member was severed.

The usual method of forming swivel rings of this character by solderingone end of the wire onto the side ofthe head portion, which has a numberof disadvantages; first, soldering heat discolors the metal; second, thesoldering heat anneals or softens the metal; and third, a solderedringof this character is not so strong and will not withstand the strains orlast as long as when formed without having been subjected to thissoldering heat.

To obviate these objections, I have provided a new and improved methodof forming a multiplicity of these devices all on a length of wire, inwhich I employ wire 10 of a diameter substantially that of the headportion of the device and then reduce this wire by swagingthe same atintervals as at 11 leaving enlarged spaced-apart head portions as at 12.

These head portions as shown in Fig. 3 are left thicker, and formed insubstantially sperical shape which thickness may then be reduced ifdesired to substantially that of the reduced diameter of the wire asillustrated in Fig. 4:. These head portionsare then pierced as at 13,see Fig. 5, each for the reception of a trunnion portion 14 of the hookor catch, see Fig. 1, on which it turns. These reduced portions are thencut at the point 15, illustrated in Fig. 5 by dotted lines, on one sideof the head member. The reduced body portion is then bent around as at16 into substantially a ring form, its end 17 abutting the back oropposite side of its head portion, thereby causing the two severedsections to abut and cover each other.

This improved construction of swivel ring has a number of advantagesover the old construction, among others being; first, by forming amultiplicity of these devices on a length of wire, a number may beoperated upon at each swaging action, and the whole can be handled tomuch greater advantage than when made up in single pieces, thus greatlyfacilitating the manufacture, and so reducing the cost of constructionto the minimum; second, the drawing-out or swaging operation serves toharden the wire rendering it tough and strong and capable of resistingthe maximum amount of strain it is called upon to withstand; third, thisoperation serves to toughen and harden the swivel ring greatlyincreasing its wearing qualities.

Another feature of importance is that when these rings are made ofrolled plate, the precious metal on the outside is not disturbed, andthe base metal at the points of severing will be covered by abutting thesevered end 17 or" the body portion against the severed portion 15, onthe side of the head, thus effectually preventing exposure of any of thebase metal.

Most of the above-mentioned advantages are not obtainable when the ringportion is soldered to the head portion of swivel rings.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention andthe best mode known to me for carrying out my method, I desire it to beunderstood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation, thescope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. An improved method of making swivel rings which consists in reducinga length of wire at intervals leaving head portions spaced apartthereon, piercing these head portions, severing the lengths, and bendingthe reduced portion into ring form.

2' An improved method of making swivel rings, consisting in reducing alength of wire at intervals and so forming relatively largespaced-aparthead portions thereon, piercing said head portions, severingeach length at one side of the head, and bending the reduced portion sothat its severed end abuts the point of severing on its head.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence o1 a witness.

FREDERICKA. BALLOU, JR.

Witness HOWARD E. BARLOW.

@epies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

